The Executive Committee of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has unanimously agreed to propose the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai to October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. This decision comes in the wake of unforeseen impact of COVID-19 global pandemic on public health, economic activity and global restrictions on movement.

Expo 2020 Dubai was supposed to be held from October 20, 2020 to 10 April 10, 2021. While the dates would change, the name “Expo 2020 Dubai” will be maintained.

As changing the dates of a world exposition requires the support of a two-thirds majority of Member States of the BIE – according to Article 28 of the Paris Convention of 1928 – the General Assembly will now be called upon to vote on the Executive Committee’s recommendation. Voting will be carried out remotely between April 24 and May 29, 2020.

“World Expos are collective endeavours that express the shared international goal of progress for all humankind. I am confident that when the time is right, Expo 2020 Dubai will constitute the best platform to build, with renewed optimism and hope, a better and brighter future for all,” said BIE Secretary General, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes.

“We welcome the recommendation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Executive Committee to support a request by the UAE Government and Expo 2020’s Steering Committee to postpone Expo 2020 for a year. Now the official process for agreeing on a delay begins, and we look forward to working constructively with BIE Member States, our friends and partners to confirm the new date of October 1, 2021 when the Expo will open its doors, and the UAE will welcome the world,” added Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

“The UAE’s willingness to listen to participating countries and its pragmatism to take the necessary steps towards postponement demonstrate yet again its strong commitment to hosting a truly inclusive and inspirational World Expo. The Executive Committee of the BIE fully supports the UAE’s request for postponement and recommends that countries around the world reach the same consensus,” concluded Alain Berger, delegate of France and Chairman of BIE Executive Committee of the BIE.